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ight, a fight in which the enemy is continually chased; also, one which continues without definite end or result.

Of a definite form or figure. Plants are all figurate and determinate, which inanimate bodies are not. Bacon.

To take a form, definite shape, or arrangement; as, the infantry should form in column.

In time past, either in time immediately preceding or at any indefinite distance; of old; heretofore.

To reduce to, or express in, a formula; to put in a clear and definite form of statement or expression. G. P. Marsh.

One or more aliquot parts of a unit or whole number; an expression for a definite portion of a unit or magnitude. Common, or Vulgar, fraction, a fraction in which the number of equal parts into which the integer is supposed to be divided is indicated by figures or letters, called the denominator, written below a line,…

To play the beau; to wait upon the ladies; also, to roam about for pleasure without any definite plan. [Slang] Dickens.

Not restrained or limited to a precise import; not specific; vague; indefinite; lax in signification; as, a loose and general expression.

ansitional sound in speech which is produced by the changing of the mouth organs from one definite position to another, and with gradual change in the most frequent cases; as in passing from the begining to the end of a regular diphthong, or from vowel to consonant or consonant to vowel in a syllable, or from one compo…

The earth; the terraqueous ball; -- usually preceded by the definite article. Locke.

The surface of the earth; the outer crust of the globe, or some indefinite portion of it. There was not a man to till the ground. Gen. ii. 5. The fire ran along upon the ground. Ex. ix. 23. Hence:

A number of eighth, sixteenth, etc., notes joined at the stems; -- sometimes rather indefinitely applied to any ornament made up of a few short notes.

To cut irregulary, without skill or definite purpose; to notch; to mangle by repeated strokes of a cutting instrument; as, to hack a post. My sword hacked like a handsaw. Shak.

The diameter or breadth of a hair; a very small distance; sometimes, definitely, the forty-eighth part of an inch. Every one could sling stones at an hairbreadth and not miss. Judg. xx. 16

Consisting of some indefinite portion resembling a half; approximately a half, whether more or less; partial; imperfect; as, a half dream; half knowledge. Assumed from thence a half consent. Tennyson. Half ape (Zoöl.), a lemur. -- Half back. (Football) See under 2d Back. -- Half bent, the first notch, for the sear po…

A straight line considered as drawn from a center to an indefinite distance in one direction, the complete ray being the whole line drawn to an indefinite distance in both directions.

Any one; the man or person; -- used indefinitely, and usually followed by a relative pronoun. He that walketh with wise men shall be wise. Prov. xiii. 20.

tions and qualifications in one's speech so as to avoid committing one's self to anything definite. The Heroic Stanzas read much more like an elaborate attempt to hedge between the parties than . . . to gain favor from the Roundheads. Saintsbury.

In hurry and confusion; without definite purpose; irregularly. [Colloq.] Helter-skelter have I rode to thee. Shak. A wistaria vine running helter-skelter across the roof. J. C. Harris.

ded as raised up or elevated; distinguished; remarkable; conspicuous; superior; -- used indefinitely or relatively, and often in figurative senses, which are understood from the connection; as -